Cam operated periodic switch with deflectable kinetic energy storage cam operator and attached microswitch ramp

ABSTRACT

Electrical contacts carried by cooperating switch blades intermittently engaged one another in response to intermittent release of energy generated by rotating resilient means, the resilient means being rotated at a constant speed.

United States Patent [191 Linn 'et al. 5

3,710,043 Jan. 9, 1973 CAM OPERATED PERIODIC SWITCH WITH DEFLECTABLEKINETIC ENERGY STORAGE CAM OPERATOR AND ATTACHED MICROSWITCH RAMPInventors: Wallace L. Linn; Elmo W. Voland, both of Indianapolis, lnd.

P..R. Mallory & Co., Inc., lndianapolis, lnd.

Filed: July 20, 1971 Appl. No.: 164,385

Assignee:

US. Cl. ..200/31 R, 200/38 BA, 200/153 T Int. Cl. ..H01h 19/62, HOlh5/14 Field of Search ..200/30, 38 B, 38 BA, 38 C, 200/38 CA, 153 T, 31R; 335/205; 74/567,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,990,459 6/1961 Stanbro etal. ..200/30 X 3,267,767 8/1966 Neal ..200/153 L 2,553,846 5/1951Clemens... ..74/567 X 2,769,046

10/1956 Russell ..200/30 X Primary Examiner-J. R. Scott Att0rney-RichardH. Childress et al.

[57] ABSTRACT Electrical contacts carried by cooperating switch bladesintermittently engaged one another in response to intermittent releaseof energy generated by rotating resilient means, the resilient meansbeing rotated at a constant speed.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJM 9 I975 w 2 3/4 3f 36 38 44 I 3e40 40 e2 i 3 4 7 i1 L O 62 46 M. 0

54 Fll'diffi 2 INVENTORS WALLACE L. LINN ELMO W. VOLAND ATTORNEY CAMOPERATED PERIODIC SWITCH WlTI-I DEFLECTABLE KINETIC ENERGY STORAGE CAMOPERATOR AND ATTACHED MICROSWITCH RAMP This invention relates toswitching mechanisms; and more particularly to a switching mechanismwhich isintermittently responsive to a means rotating at a constantspeed.

Timing mechanisms are generally used in the appliance industry tooperate appliances in accordance with a programmed sequence. Forexample, timers are used to operate washers and dryers to wash, rinseand dry clothes in accordance with a programmed sequence. Someappliances use two such timers. For example, a washer and dryer may havea timer having predetermined programmed cycles and a pulser timer toprovide a repeat of a particular cycling function without taking upneeded space on the main timer cams. In such situations the timer isusually a pair of snap acting switches which need to be very accuratelyand quickly opened and closed. And, as in the case of timer in generaly,the more simple the switch and its actuating mechanism, the lower thecost of the timer.

The present invention is concerned with a switching mechanism and has asone of its objects the provision of a switching mechanism and anactuator means therefor, the combination of which is simple, easy toproduce and therefore relatively low in cost.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a switchingmechanism which is intermittently, but very quickly, actuated inresponse to a means rotating at a constant speed. I

Yet another object of the invention is the provision ofa switchmechanism which is actuated in response to the intermittent release ofenergy generated by a resilient means rotating at a constant speed.

A further object of the invention is the provision ofa switch mechanismwhich is actuated in response to a flipping of a resilient means whichis rotating at a con-' stant speed.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision ofa switchmechanism which is actuated in accordance with a flipping ofa resilientmeans which is rotating at a constant speed and wherein there are meanspre-loading the resilient means to store energy therein.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a switch mechanismwhich is actuated in response to an intermittent flipping of a fingerwhich rides over a ramp to store energy therein.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a switchmechanism which includes a switch actuator which is actuated in responseto an intermittent flipping of a rotating resilient means which ridesover a ramp wherein the holding time interval of the switch is dependentupon the size or diameter of the switch actuator.

A further object of the invention is the provision ofa timing mechanismhaving first and second timing means, the second timing means includingapair of switch blades having electrical contacts adapted to engage oneanother in response to intermittent release of energy generated by aresilient means rotating at constant speed.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a timing mechanism employing theprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and; 7 FIG. 3 is a viewsimilar to that of FIG. 2 showing a different period of operation of theinvention.

Generally speaking, the objects of the invention are accomplished byproviding in combination a switch including a pair of electricalcontacts adapted to engage one another and a resilient means rotating ata constant.

speed, the electrical contacts intermittently engaging one another inresponse to intermittent release of energy generated by the rotatingresilient means.

Referring now to the. drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown a timing mechanism 10 utilizing the concept of the invention. Abase plate 12 which is generally L-shaped carries first and secondtiming means 14 and 16. Timing mechanism 14 includes a constant speeddrive means 18 such as a synchronous motor, a speed reduction means 20,the output of which is coupled to a cam carrying shaft 22 which wouldcarry a plurality of cams used to actuate a plurality of switches in amanner well known in the art. Such cams and switches would be carried inhousing 17 with the switches being connected to electrical terminals 15.

A second timing means 16 includes a constant speed drive means 24 suchas a synchronous motor coupled to a speed reducing means 26 which inturn is coupled to an output shaft 28. Rotation of output shaft 28 willsequentially operate a switch means 30 in a manner hereinafter to bedescribed. The second switch means could be used as an interrupterswitch to interrupt the program of the first switching means 14. Undersuch situation, the operation of the switch means 30 and its cycle ofoperation must be very accurately controlled. In the present invention,this is accomplished by the cooperating elements of the switch means 30and the means 32 coupling the output shaft 28 to the switch means 30.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, switch means 30 is carried by a mountingplate 34 and includes a housing 36, whichcarries a pair of switch blades38 and 40, and switch actuator 42. Electrical terminals 38' and 40' areelectrically connected to the switch blades to provide an electricalout-let for the switch. Each of the blades carries an electrical contact44 and 46 which are adapted to engage one another upon actuation ofblade 40. Switch actuator 42 includes a plunger 48 slidably carried in arecess 50 provided in the housing 36. It should be understood thatalthough a particular switch means 30 has been illustrated, other typesof switches,

such as a microswitch, could be used.

The means 32 coupling the constant speed drive means to the switch means30 includes a resilient means 52 fixedly carried by shaft 28 so as to berotated thereby at a constant speed by constant speed drive means 24.Resilient means 52 includes a hub portion 54 having a finger 56extending therefrom, the finger 56 having an outer camming surface 58 ofincreasing radius. The finger 56 is flexible. A pre-loading means 60 iscarried by the housing 36 of the switch means 30 through lug 62 engagingaperture 64 of the housing. Pre-loading means 60 includes a ramp 66terminating at a predetermined distance from and adjacent the switchactuator means 42, the end of the ramp being substantially level withthe tip of the plunger 48. i

Continued rotation of the resilient means 52 disengages the finger 66from switch actuator means 42 to allow it to return to its originalposition thereby breaking the contact.

The fact that the finger 56 is deflected by ramp 66 so as to storeenergy therein permits the finger 56 to flip" toward the switch actuatormeans 52 as it leaves the ramp. Thus the action is very quick and fastwhich makes the timing and closing of the switch much more accurate.Moreover, the intermittent actuation of the switch actuator means 42 isachieved directly from a constantly rotating member. Thus the usualescapements or intermittent motion transmission means have beeneliminated. The time interval during which the contacts 44 and 46 areheld in engagement with each other is determined by the diameter or sizeof the plunger 48 for a given speed of rotation of resilient means 52.Thus the timingor the program of the switch means 30 is veryeasilydetermined.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination:

a. a snap switch including a pair of switch blades having electricalcontacts adapted to engage one another and carried in a housing;

b. switch actuator means engaging one of said blades and extendingoutside said housing;

0. ramp means carried by said housing and terminating adjacent at and ata level of the end of said switch actuator means extending outside saidhousing; and

d. resilient means rotating at a constant speed, in-

cluding a finger riding over said ramp means to store energy therein andreleasing said energy when leaving said ramp means to engage said switchactuator means.

2. The combination according to claim 1 further including a constantspeed motor means coupled to said energy storage means.

3. A timing mechanism comprising:

a. a base plate,

b. first and second timing means, said second timing means energized inresponse to said first timing means,

0. said second timing means including a pair of switch blades havingelectrical contacts adapted to' engage one another and carried in ahousing, switch actuator means engaging one of said blades and extendingoutside said housing; ramp means carried by said housing and terminatingadjacent and at a level at the end of said switch actuator meansextending outside said housing, and

d. resilient means rotating at a constant speed, in-

cluding a finger riding over said ramp means to store energy therein andreleasing said energy when leaving said ramp means to engage said switchactuator means.

4. In combination: a snap switch including a pair of switch blades eachhaving electrical contacts adapted to engage one another in response tomovement of a switch actuator means, a resilient means rotating at aconstant speed, said resilient means including a hub and a fingercarried by said hub, and ramp means terminating adjacent said switchactuator means,

I engagement of said finger with said ramp means storing energy thereinand upon leaving said ram means, releasing said stored energy to actuatesaid switch actuator means.

5. In combination,

a snap switch including a pair of switch blades each having electricalcontacts adapted to engage one another and, resilient means rotating ata constant speed, and stationary deflecting means, engagement of saidrotating resilient means withsaid stationary deflecting means,deflecting said resilient means to store energy therein, disengagementof said resilient means from said deflecting means releasing said storedenergy causing intermittent flipping of resilient means to.intermittently engage said resilient means'with one of said electricalcontacts so as to engage one another.

1. In combination: a. a snap switch including a pair of switch bladeshaving electrical contacts adapted to engage one another and carried ina housing; b. switch actuator means engaging one of said blades andextending outside said housing; c. ramp means carried by said housingand terminating adjacent at and at a level of the end of said switchactuator means extending outside said housing; and d. resilient meansrotating at a constant speed, including a finger riding over said rampmeans to store energy therein and releasing said energy when leavingsaid ramp means to engage said switch actuator means.
 2. The combinationaccording to claim 1 further including a constant speed motor meanscoupled to said energy storage means.
 3. A timing mechanism comprising:a. a base plate, b. first and second timing means, said second timingmeans energized in response to said first timing means, c. said secondtiming means including a pair of switch blades having electricalcontacts adapted to engage one another and carried in a housing, switchactuator means engaging one of said blades and extending outside saidhousing; ramp means carried by said housing and terminating adjacent andat a level at the end of said switch actuator means extending outsidesaid housing, and d. resilient means rotating at a constant speed,including a finger riding over said ramp means to store energy thereinand releasing said energy when leaving said ramp means to engage saidswitch actuator means.
 4. In combination: a snap switch including a pairof switch blades each having electrical contacts adapted to engage oneanother in response to movement of a switch actuator means, a resilientmeans rotating at a constant speed, said resilient means including a huband a finger carried by said hub, and ramp means terminating adjacentsaid switch actuator means, engagement of said finger with said rampmeans storing energy therein and upon leaving said ram means, releasingsaid stored energy to actuate said switch actuator means.
 5. Incombination, a snap switch including a pair of switch blades each havingelectrical contacts adapted to engage one another and, resilient meansrotating at a constant speed, and stationary deflecting means,engagement of said rotating resilient means with said stationarydeflecting means, deflecting said resilient means to store energytherein, disengagement of said resilient means from said deflectingmeans releasing said stored energy causing intermittent flipping ofresilient means to intermittently engage said resilient means with oneof said electrical contacts so as to engage one another.